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Chandler tops Hamilton for crown

Chandler receiver Jaray Mills celebrates after recovering a Hamilton fumble in the end zone during the Division I state championship game on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.(Photo: Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports)

This is the first time Chandler beat Hamilton twice in the same season, and it has its defense and the clutch performance of senior quarterback Bryce Perkins to thank.

Chandler forced three turnovers, and Perkins, headed to Arizona State, passed for 138 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 78 yards and two scores.

"Everybody in the state now can see him as a quarterback," Chanler coach Shaun Aguano said. "He's going to compete for that, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's a four-year starter for them."

After riddling Hamilton's defense for 407 yards and six touchdown passes in a 56-24 regular-season win at Hamilton, Perkins carved up Hamilton this time not only with his arm but his legs.

Perkins ran 21 yards for Chandler's first touchdown in the first quarter. He led a 16-play, 98-yard scoring drive in the second quarter, capping it with a 9-yard pass to Micah Reed-Campos. Then, after Hamilton put the heat on with a touchdown that cut it to 13-7, Perkins completed a 22-yard pass to N'Keal Harry, before running 26 more yards up the middle to the 16. He capped it off with an 8-yard run, and, after Chase Lucas' 2-point conversion run, Chandler lead 21-7 with seven minutes left.

"I'll say this," Hamilton coach Steve Belles said about Perkins. "I'm glad I won't have to coach against him next year."

Perkins attributes his success to a tremendous line and the playmakers around him. Notably, Lucas showed off his skills with 113 yards rushing on 15 carries and 37 yards on four catches.

"Look at the crowd, and the teammates I had for four years," Perkins said. "Time flies when you're having fun. It feels great."

It wasn't just Perkins putting on a clinic.

The defense came through over and over with big plays.

CLOSE

Chandler defeats Hamilton 28-7 to win the Division I Championship.

On a fourth-and-inches play from the Chandler 35 early in the final quarter, tailback Aria Johnson took a handoff and ran into a brick wall. He bounced away to the outside, where Jaray Mills pulled him down for a loss. That jump-started Chandler's scoring drive to go back up by two touchdowns.

Mills also recovered quarterback James Sosinski's fumble at the Chandler 2 that started the 98-yard scoring drive.

"All we knew is that we needed to get Bryce the ball, and that's the game," Mills said.

Hamilton showed resiliency this season, and answered to start the second half with a touchdown on a pitch back to receiver Brandon Krcilek for an 11-yard run on a reverse.

Hamilton had converted a Hail Mary pass and a field goal in the final minute to beat Phoenix Pinnacle during the regular season. It rallied from a 14-0 deficit in the state quarterfinals to beat Mesa Skyline.

But Chandler was too dynamic on offense and too physical on defense to let Hamilton rally.

After Kyree Woods intercepted James Sosinski's pass in the end zone with 5:27 left, Chandler quickly went 80 yards for a touchdown. Lucas tore off a 37-yard run, before Reed-Campos scored from 15 yards out for a 28-7 lead with 1:43 left.

"We weren't worried at all," Lucas said. "As soon as we got the ball back in our hands, in Bryce's hands, in my hands, in our receivers' hands, we have incredible players. We just made plays."

Chandler's 100-year celebration as a school couldn't have been capped off any better than a state football championship.

"I look up in the stands and nobody has left," Aguano said. "This means a lot to the community of Chandler, 100 years. I'm just glad for the kids."

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Chandler senior quarterback Bryce Perkins takes a selfie with his teammates at the University of Phoenix Stadium after their win at the division 1 high school football state championships November 28, 2014 in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

The Chandler high school football team celebrates at the University of Phoenix Stadium after their win over the Hamilton Huskies at the division 1 high school football state championships November 28, 2014 in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

The Chandler high school football team celebrates at the University of Phoenix Stadium after their win over the Hamilton Huskies at the division 1 high school football state championships November 28, 2014 in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

The Chandler high school football team celebrates at the University of Phoenix Stadium after their win over the Hamilton Huskies at the division 1 high school football state championships November 28, 2014 in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

The Chandler high school football team celebrates at the University of Phoenix Stadium after their win over the Hamilton Huskies at the division 1 high school football state championships November 28, 2014 in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

The Chandler high school football team celebrates at the University of Phoenix Stadium after their win over the Hamilton Huskies at the division 1 high school football state championships November 28, 2014 in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

Chandler sophomore Keeley McCulley shares a moment with the Chandler High School mascot at the division 1 high school football state championships November 28, 2014 in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

The Chandler Wolves take a selfie with the State Championship trophy after defeating the Hamilton Huskies, 28-7, Nov. 28, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Jessie Wardarski /azcentral sports

Robert Reynolds of the Chandler Wolves kisses the winning trophy after defeating the Hamilton Huskies, 28-7, Nov. 28, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Jessie Wardarski /azcentral sports

Running back Kyree Woods (6) of the Chandler Wolves dances with his team after winning against the Hamilton Huskies, 28-7 in the division one State Championship game Nov. 28, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Jessie Wardarski /azcentral sports

The Chandler Wolves cheer after winning the division one State Championship against the Hamilton Huskies, 28-7, Nov. 28, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Jessie Wardarski /azcentral sports

The Chandler Wolves reach for the division one State Championship trophy after winning against the Hamilton Huskies, 28-7, Nov. 28, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Jessie Wardarski /azcentral sports

Chandler junior running back Micah Reed-Campos is tackled by Hamilton senior linebacker David Desilva at the Division I high school football state championships on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

QB, Bryce Perkins, Chandler, 6-3, 210, Sr. Led school to first state championship since the AIA went to a playoff format in 1959 with amazing poise, athleticism and precision. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

Chandler senior wide receiver Justin Jan catches a diving pass in between two defenders at the Division I high school football state championships on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

Hamilton junior wide receiver Kaleb Pitts weaves in between defenders during a punt return at the Division I high school football state championships on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

Running back Ari Johnson (1) of the Hamilton Huskies is tackled by Chandler's Isiah Swann (25) Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports

Senior quarterback James Sosinski (8) runs the ball in the second quarter of the Division I state championship against the Chandler Wolves on Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports

Chandler junior running back Chase Lucas is tackled by Hamilton senior linebacker Tristen Vance at the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

Hamilton senior quarterback James Sosinski is sacked by Chandler cornerback Isiah Swann and safety Jaray Mills at the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

Chandler running back Micah Reed-Campos (20) celebrates with wide receiver NKeal Harry after the team's second touchdown at the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

Chandler receiver Jaray Mills holds the ball up after recovering a Hamilton fumble in the end zone during the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports

Senior linebacker Tristen Vance (7) of the Hamilton Huskies attempts to block a pass by senior quarterback Bryce Perkins (3) of the Chandler Wolves during the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports

Junior wide receiver for the Chandler Wolves NKeal Harry (1) spins out of reach of cornerback Jaquan Mayberry (2) of the Hamilton Huskies Nov. 28, 2014 in Glendale, Ariz. during the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports

Chandler junior running back Micah Reed-Campos runs into the end zone untouched at the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Dominic Valente/azcentral sports

Senior quarterback James Sosinski (8) is tackled and fumbles the ball in the second quarter of the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports

Hamilton Huskie fans cheer for the defense during the start of the first quarter at the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports

Senior cornerback Morris Kroma (24) cheers after the Hamilton Huskies recover a fumble in the first quarter of the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports

Hamilton Huskie cheerleader Audrey Baraban does a back handspring to warm up before the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports

Hamiltion color guard Rheannin Reed practices backstage before the halftime performance in the Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports

(From right to left) Hamilton players Dylan Brown, Sam Haggard, Salesi Koloamatangi, Bernard White, and Ian Lefever rest on the sidelines before the start of their Division I high school football state championship on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Glendale. Jessie Wardarski/azcentral sports